Voters to decide if Philly inspector general will be permanent post

Philadelphia’s inspector general could become a permanent city office if voters approve a ballot question.

The inspector general’s job is to ferret out waste and corruption in Philadelphia.  Amy Kurland, who now holds the post, says she’s happy there’s a proposal to make it permanent by changing the city charter.

“The inspector general would be appointed for a five-year term, and it wouldn’t be concurrent with the mayor, so that would guarantee some measure of independence and a lack of political influence,” she said.

Kurland says the plan is designed to insulate the job of inspector general from politics.

“It would also require that the inspector general not make any political contributions and not run for political office until after two years when the term ends.”

The post now is created under an executive order of the mayor, who has the ability to hire and fire.